Dorothy 'Dottie' Houger

Dorothy "Dottie" Nanette (Larson) Houger was born to Nannie and Nathaniel Larson in Rose City on March 12, 1917. She attended country school until the 8th grade when her family moved to Alexandria. At the age of 15, she went to work at the nearby Alexandria Hospital to help support the family due to her father's failing health.

On Oct. 5, 1940 she married Daryl Houger in Osakis. They had three children, Sharon Kay, Donald Eugene and Nannette Joy. Over the years, the family lived in Faribault, Alexandria, Montevideo, and Park Rapids, where she was always active in church teaching Sunday school, singing with Daryl, her family, and other choral groups.

She will be remembered for her gracious hospitality, her beautiful cake decorating, baking, sewing and crafting skills. Sharing with friends and neighbors, she was always thinking of others before herself. Daryl passed away in 1987 and after selling their home Dorothy lived in Park Rapids until 2009 when she went to live at Baker Park Apartments in Bemidji. While there, she enjoyed many new friends, concerts and the weekly Bible studies. Until just before her death, she still loved to bake, crochet and play Scrabble. Her 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren were all very close and special to her.